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You see a lot of rats in stores in October—as Halloween decorations. While the decorations are generally accepted calmly or with excitement for the holiday, the real animal often yields a very strong negative reaction. Wild Rattus Norvegicus can cause damage and carry diseases, like other wild animals. Their domesticated relatives, however, make great pets.
Domestic rats have been selectively bred for at least a century for pleasing temperament and looks. Rats bred for companionship now display different behavior than their wild relatives and are far less aggressive towards humans and other rats. Pet rats are clean, intelligent, affectionate, and many people compare interacting with them to the relationship dog lovers have with their pets. They are highly social and do much better in the company of at least one or two other rats.
They are playful and sensitive, but do need to interact with people and play outside the cage on a daily basis. This interaction can include playing games and even learning tricks. Rats learn very quickly, especially when rewarded with food. Like other selectively bred animals, rats can have a variety of hair types and colors, including violet and blue. Looking after rats is easy—they need food, water, and a clean environment which they help maintain. They use a specific corner for toileting and are known to throw dirty bedding out of the cage.
If there is a downside to rats as pets it’s their short life span. Rats live about two to three years even with the most attentive care. Because of their highly social nature and their close interaction with their caregivers, becoming attached to a pet rat is inevitable and often so is the feeling of loss when a dear companion passes away.
You see a lot of rats in stores in October—as Halloween decorations. While the decorations are generally accepted calmly or with excitement for the holiday, the real animal often yields a very strong negative reaction. Wild Rattus Norvegicus can cause damage and carry diseases, like other wild animals. Their domesticated relatives, however, make great pets.
Domestic rats have been selectively bred for at least a century for pleasing temperament and looks. Rats bred for companionship now display different behavior than their wild relatives and are far less aggressive towards humans and other rats. Pet rats are clean, intelligent, affectionate, and many people compare interacting with them to the relationship dog lovers have with their pets. They are highly social and do much better in the company of at least one or two other rats.
They are playful and sensitive, but do need to interact with people and play outside the cage on a daily basis. This interaction can include playing games and even learning tricks. Rats learn very quickly, especially when rewarded with food. Like other selectively bred animals, rats can have a variety of hair types and colors, including violet and blue. Looking after rats is easy—they need food, water, and a clean environment which they help maintain. They use a specific corner for toileting and are known to throw dirty bedding out of the cage.
If there is a downside to rats as pets it’s their short life span. Rats live about two to three years even with the most attentive care. Because of their highly social nature and their close interaction with their caregivers, becoming attached to a pet rat is inevitable and often so is the feeling of loss when a dear companion passes away.
For more Info:
PetRat.Info
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